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| Fast Retailing President Tadashi Yanai said the Ukraine conflict "shouldn't deprive people in Russia of their basic need for clothing". (File photo by: DPA/AFP/Daniel Naupold) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] TOKYO: The parent company of Japanese casual wear giant UNIQLO on Monday (Mar 7) defended a decision to keep Russian stores open even as rivals Zara and H&M suspend operations in the country following its invasion of Ukraine.
Tadashi Yanai, president of UNIQLO operator Fast Retailing, said the conflict should not deprive people in Russia of clothing, a basic human need.There should never be war. Every country should oppose it. This time all of Europe clearly opposes the war and has shown its support for Ukraine. Any attempt to divide the world will, on the contrary, strengthen unity," he said in a statement. "Clothing is a necessity of life. The people of Russia have the same right to live as we do," Yanai added. There are 49 UNIQLO stores in Russia. A Fast Retailing spokesman said the company would "continue to monitor the situation" but there were "no plans as of now to suspend our operations".
Fast Retailing said on Friday it would donate US$10 million and 200,000 items of clothing to the UN refugee agency to support people forced to flee in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Additionally, an increasing number of major companies are suspending business activities in Russia while Western governments impose sanctions to pressure President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
